A Tribute to Veterans

One day a year is dedicated to Veterans. Over the years, Rick has seldom had that day off, though he served as a Marine in Vietnam. The companies he worked for didn’t recognize Veteran’s Day as a holiday. When he was in his own business, he worked because most of his customers didn’t recognize Veterans Day as a holiday. Now, that he’s retired, he takes the day off. Shannon, our daughter, and Brendan, our grandson, took him over to Sonoma to see the Traveling Vietnam Wall listing all the men who died during the Vietnam War. Rick has many friends on that wall.

Vietnam was a thankless war with men who risked their lives coming home to disrespect and heartbreak, during a time of national upheaval. Rick, a Marine, was on R&R in Hong Kong when he stood on the street watching a television inside a store showing the assassination of Robert Kennedy. He came home to a citizenry that hated the war and cast blame on the soldiers sent to fight it. He went to college during a time when students burned the American flag and called Vietnam vets war mongers and murderers.

My brother served in the Army in Vietnam and became a captive of the North Vietnamese during the Tet Offensive. Thankfully, he made it home alive.

My father served in World War II as a Captain and medic, third wave into Normandy.

My son-in-law served in the United State Air Force. It was disheartening that in a nation who is so prosperous, he made so little, they qualified for the W.I.C. program.

We have close friends who had distinguished military careers and then worked in the private sector, others who are still serving in Afghanistan and Europe.

These men and women are heroes. They serve our country at great personal and financial hardship. Without them, we would not be a free nation.

To Veterans: Thank you today, tomorrow and always for the sacrifices each of you have made for our country. Every citizen, whether they acknowledge it or not, are indebted to your service. May the Lord bless you. May He shine His face upon you. May he watch over and protect you. May you know the peace of God which surpasses all understanding now and always. And finally, may you experience the joy of your salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord who will never leave you or forsake you.